OB- Democracy Flashcards
1)Representative democracy
2)Direct democracy
1)People vote for politicians who vote on their behalf
2)Citizens vote directly on proposals
advantages of representative democracy
-the elected politicians have the knowledge and skills to make hard decisions
-more efficient than laying laws directly before people
disadvantages of representative democracy
-many people don’t trust politicians and don’t agree with any of the parties
-MP’s might not respond to the views of the public
advantages of direct democracy
-population feel more valued if they can make decisions
-eliminates corruption as power is not concentrated in the hands of the elite
disadvantages of direct democracy
-big decisions made by uneducated people
-referendums are not legally binding
-people may not have time or have interest
Delegate model
duty to do what you have been told to do (voters telling you what to do)
how does representative democracy work in the UK
General election: UK divided into 650 constituencies which selects a single MP to represent them in parliament
Parliaments role
legislative branch: debates and approves new laws whilst scrutinising the work of the gov
Governments role
executive branch: proposes new laws and then implements them once passed by parliament
IS THE UK EXPERIENCING A PARTICIPATION CRISIS: slacktivisim meaning
term to describe shallow levels of participation
1) Hapathy
2)apathy
1)so happy with the situation won’t bother getting involved
2) not caring
Partisan dealignment
individuals become less partisan in terms of their support for a political party, EG 2019 GE, <—- may be a good thing as it shows people are aware therefore participation
Political membership facts
-1951 Cons had 3mill members// Labour had 900k
-2011 cons had 130k// labour had 190k
politcal participation facts
-1950 turnout record high of 84%
-60% in 2001,raising questions about the legitimacy and mandate of Blair gov
Info about elections
-free: vote for whoever you like//secret voting ballot
-fair: every persons vote Is valued equally// no corruption in the counting of votes
fact about 2019 GE
tories got 43% of the vote but 56% of the seats
First past the post
system in which a candidate or party is selected by achievement of a simple majority.
advantages of fptp
-clear outcome (easy to understand)
-small and extreme parties don’t get into power
-one party gov= stable gov
disadvantages of fptp
-those who are runners up receive no political reward (winner takes all system)
-massively unproportional (2015 UKIP, 3 mill votes and got 1 MP)
-wasted votes (any vote given to a losing candidate is a wasted vote)
-winners may not have the majority of the votes
-many voters may be reluctant to choose a candidate they feel stands no chance at winning so may tactically vote for the least worst electable candidate
referendums
a popular vote in a single issue ( parliament is sovereign therefore referendums are not binding in uk)
why are referendums used
-politcal pressure EG Brexit
- decions are too difficult, politicians don’t want to be held accountable
-increases political understanding and awareness
case against referendums
-turnout can be low
-clashes with parliamentary sovereignty
main electoral systems used in the uk
-FPTP= used in GE & ENG local elections
-PARTY LIST PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION = used in European elections
-ADDITIONAL MEMBERS SYSTEM (AMS)= used it SCT and WAL parliaments
-SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE= used in N.IRE assembly
-ALTERNATIVE VOTE= used in the election of parliamentary select committee
